Moorhen and blackberries

[colincurry]

Yesterday, I noticed a couple of moorhens up in the hedge above a ditch. You will see the proximity of the brambles.



I could not get very close and the hedge was partly in the shade.

It is unusual, at least in my experience, to see a moorhen off the ground like this. I wonder if they were after the blackberries as food. I could not see them actually taking blackberries. There is no sign of juice on the bird in this snap.

Colin

[Jenny W]

They will often feed in bushes off the ground like this and do nest up in bushes/vegetation/trees too. They used to regularly feed off the ground on Sea Buckthorn berries where I used to work in Lincolnshire.

[snake]

Hi Colin,

Nice picture.
I have a pond at the bottom of my garden which on one side is very overgrown with thistles and brambles.
The pond has been home to a family of Moorhens for many years now.
At this time of the year I often see them feeding on the blackberries.
There are a number of Hawthorns trees around the pond and the Moorhens roost in them every night, I also have seen them feeding on the Hawthorn berries.
I think they are quite partial to a piece of fruit and just take advantage of what the season has to offer.
They often fly into the trees and bushes to get away from any danger.

[colincurry]

Thanks for the information - we live and learn.

Colin